About 70 miles (112 km) west of Key West, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico is where you'll find Dry Tortugas National Park. The park is well known for its historical fort, coral reefs, and marine life.

The discovery of the region by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513 marks the beginning of the Dry Tortugas' history. The Spanish gave the islands the moniker "Dry Tortugas" due to the abundance of sea turtles in the vicinity and the lack of fresh water sources on the islands.

The United States maintained a military presence on the islands in the 19th century, and work on Fort Jefferson, a large coastal fortification designed to guard American commercial channels in the Gulf of Mexico, got under way. The fort was the biggest brick masonry building in the Western Hemisphere and took more than 30 years to build.The fort served as a military prison during the Civil War for captured deserters and Union supporters. Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was found guilty of conspiring in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, was one of the most well-known convicts incarcerated at Fort Jefferson. After John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Mudd attended to his injuries. Booth was then detained and transferred to Fort Jefferson, where he spent four years.

A national park was established around Dry Tortugas in 1935, and Fort Jefferson became a popular tourist destination. Today, tourists flock to the area to take advantage of its clean seas, coral reefs, and old fort.

The park, which comprises of seven little islands, is well known for its gorgeous coral reefs that are great for diving and snorkeling. Visitors can observe a variety of marine life, including vibrant fish, sea turtles, and other sea critters, by exploring the shallow waters surrounding the islands.

The historic Fort Jefferson, which was built in the 19th century and used as a military jail during the Civil War, is one of the park's most important landmarks. The fort, which has been preserved effectively and provides insight into the region's history, is open to visitors today.

Visitors are urged to make travel and camping arrangements in advance as the park can only be reached by seaplane or boat. . Although the park is accessible year-round, the dry season, which lasts from November to April, is the ideal time to visit.